Good morning. Yes, I'm still working through the Provence part of my trip. What's the one can't miss you'd recommend I try and see while in Provence? We're going in May and will be there for 2.5 days. Conversely, is there something you regretted seeing or you think I can safely drop off my list? What's the most overrated sight? Underrated? This forum is great! Thanks as always!
Amy
Hello, Amy! I've written you a couple other responses (I think!) about your stay regarding Avignon/Arles/transportation. I learned a big lesson on that trip from which I based my recommendations to you. Because of so many posts raving about Rocamodour in the Dordogne area, I planned a portion of my route to view it. While spectacular, there were other (both expected and unexpected) sights and sites that were for me personally much more of the can't miss variety. So I learned you can't make recommendations like that for someone else!
It sounds like you want to capture the essence of the region. ? Avignon and Arles have the history, yet are modern cities, too. If the theater festival hadn't been raging in Avignon, aside from the palace and seeing the bridge I could have missed it. You probably should consider, either via a rental car or tour, a day-long drive that enables you to see and experience the countryside, given the limited time you have.
Good luck!
Key piece of information to answer your question: will you have a rental car? If you do, I'd try to stay in a smaller town (St. Remy is great) where you can get in and out quickly and park easily. I'd concentrate one day in the area east of Avignon and maybe circle back through Chateuneuf des Papes if you like wine. On the second day I'd go west to the Pont du Gard and Uzes and maybe swing back to go to Les Baux.
If you're going to depend on trains, stay in Arles and go one day to Avignon and another day to Nimes.
There are more things that you would not regret taking the time to see in Provence than you have time for.
Obvious highlights are Arles, the Pont du Gard, les Baux, and Avignon; a trip into the Luberon hills or Sorge valley would also be rewarding. If your itinerary permits, the Roman theater in Orange (on the rail line north of Avignon) is magnificent.
If you want to cover a lot of ground in a short time, a car is helpful, which means you can base yourself in a small town, as Doug suggests.
Thank you all so much for your responses (and some of you for your responses to my other Provence posts). I think we'll be renting a car since we'll be there over the weekend and in other threads the general consensus seemed to be renting would be needed for the things I want to see if we're there over the weekend. We'll be there May 23-26 (leaving the morning of the 26th for home--flying out of Paris).
Each time I research one of the towns, I feel the need to try and see it too, which is what prompted this thread. I was wondering what your favorites were so I could try and narrow it down. Though to Karen's point, everyone has slightly different tastes.
Thanks again for all of the replies!
Amy
http://www.cometofrance.com/LOURMARIN.html
Copy & paste this Lourmarin link... P
Amy, If you like visiting the street markets, the largest one is in Isle-Sur-le-Sorge on Sunday morning. It goes on for street after street and you'll see many locals shopping for olives, cheese, fruit/veggies, fabrics, antiques, etc. There's also a great market in St. Remy (I forget the day) but I found some items there that I hadn't seen in the other ones we visited (in Roussillon and Uzes).
My top 3:
Saturday market day in Arles;
If car: Roussillon, Isle-sur-la-Sorge, St Remy drive;
Pont du Gard
I'm sure this may be sacrilege to some, but I would save Avignon for another trip. You could whisk through for a few hours and visit Palace of Popes, scenic roads, etc., but really Avignon is a place that you can either skip, or need to spend more time in.
No need for Aix, Nice, Marseilles (in 2.5 days, but with more time, yes, absolutely).
But all this depends on home base. If you are in the east, it makes more sense in 2.5 days to stay closer and visit nearby locations.
Base in one location, if using a car, use a hotel in a village or in the periphery of town or near municipal parking . Assuming you are flying into a major city, you will probably be taking the TGV to Avignon? If so, renting a car from there is easy, since it is on the outskirts of town. If you want to see more, consider a one-way rental and on your last day, drive to a different city.
VAISON LA ROMAINE!!!! I really can't praise it enough. We rented a car for a day in town after traveling to Vaison la Romaine by bus from Avignon. We absolutely adored it. You can hike up to ramparts of an old fort on the hill, have amazing food and wine in the the local towns, see incredible views at every turn. Definitely include Vaison la Romaine!
Another unexpected favorite--Aix en Provence. It was a very chic town where you guiltily lounge sipping lattes while watching fashionable French wind their way along the promenade. Amazing shopping and a great introduction to french culture.
My husband's a Van Gogh fan so we went to Arles. While it was enjoyable, the single prevailing memory is of watching my step. The streets and sidewalks were dirty--dog owners aren't up considerate in cleaning up.
